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Jihad el Khazen Al Hayat - 19/04/08//

Islam and the West: Part One

I greatly hesitated to write about Islam and Muslims in this newspaper of ours. On one hand, I feel like I am preaching to the choir, as every Muslim knows his faith. On the other hand, it is a sensitive matter to discuss religious topics, as any discussion must have opposition. However, the subject is of great importance and very much a topic of debate, and there must be a reasonable, calm response, which I hope I can provide.

Before I begin, I should clarify that I do not ask the reader to abide by what I say. I would advise him to abide by the teachings of Sheikh Al-Azhar or of the mufti of his own country. I add that I believe in one and only one God and that "Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything less", so if I were wrong He would forgive me. There is also a Hadith said by the two Sheiks: "He who believed in Me and Me alone will enter Paradise…" Hence my seat in paradise is guaranteed, along with forgiveness.

I beg Arab and Muslim readers to bear with me, for I will be writing in episodes, the first of which will be a general introduction, which Muslims already know. Yet this column, and most of the newspaper's material, is translated into English. Thus the first episode paves the way for the one that follows, in which I begin to reply to Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders and other extremists. The reply will include a comparison between Islam and Judaism, within ethical limits, of course. The worst thing we can do to defend Islam is to insult another monotheistic religion.

I think the comparison will be accurate. Some of it will surprise the reader, however knowledgeable he may be. I have worked in the field of interfaith dialogue between Islam and the West for three decades. However, the current study reflects an effort of six months, during which I used every spare minute I had to read, compare and ask experts.

Before seeing the silly video which Wilders produced, I had been shocked by one of his articles, entitled "I don't hate Muslims, I hate Islam". I have always thought, as I still do, that Islam is better than Muslims. Words may be used and abused and yet remain true. Islam is a religion of peace and moderation. There is, however, an extreme minority that has hijacked the faith, while the vast majority of Muslims remain silent, unconcerned, or in a state of denial.

Terrorist organizations of the likes of Al Qaeda are transgressing well established verses. The Holy Quran says: "Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you most Merciful!" which, according to my understanding, forbids suicide bombings. It also says: "If a man kills a Believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (forever): and the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him."

Thus, God forbids killing the soul and killing believers. Yet, day after day, we see Al-Qaeda suicide bombers killing Muslims in Iraq.

The Holy Quran advises with regard to non-Muslims and says: "If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the Word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge." It has always called for leniency, both in words and in actions:
"Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds; but speak to him mildly…"
"Let there be no compulsion in religion…"
"Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject…"
"Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee…"
"If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people…"

I have tried in this study to rely only on the Holy Quran to avoid debate. I have not used any other reference except within the narrowest of scopes, and where there is no conflict. In the commandments of the Prophet to his armies, and in those of his successor, the first Caliph Abu Bakr, we read: "Keep your word. Don't kill women, children or old men. Leave monks in monasteries to their dedication. Don't cut trees. Don't kill animals except to eat". The terrorists in Iraq have killed a priest and transgressed the commandments of the Prophet and of his first Caliph.

These commandments came at a time when Islam was struggling for survival in the wars of Ridda (apostasy). Had the Muslims lost the battle then, there would be no Islam today. Muslims today number about 1.2 billion and their existence is in no way endangered, so as to justify the killing of others. To be continued tomorrow